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Critics' Choice
Hear what people are saying about SJMO...
"Culturally important...spectacular musically...Precise, intelligent and straightforward."
The New York Times
"The band performed with distinction.... The evening ended with a long and richly deserved standing ovation."
The Washington Post
"The best jazz repertory band in the country..."
The New Yorker
"The band was balanced and controlled and on piece after piece the music's virtues unfolded.... They were...a treat to hear, the gorgeous harmonies played clearly, the sections tightly controlled. It was all revelatory music, only fully understood when played live."
The New York Times
"Jazz is sacred music, and we are blessed to have the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra in our midst."
Julian Bond
Chairman
National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People (NAACP)
"Cezanne said, 'All talk about art is chatter.' That clearly holds true for the marvelous American art form known as Jazz, which can only be understood or appreciated by listening to it. The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra that I heard in Washington, D.C. is a remarkable group of musicians, and I'm pleased to hear that we've finally come round to establishing it as a national organization."
Artie Shaw
Bandleader, Composer
"The SJMO closed out the musical portion of the 1996 Cultural Olympiad...romping and stomping its way through a joyful tribute to American composer and bandleader Duke Ellington....percolating throughout the evening with tight ensemble work, solos that glittered and wailed, and a rhythm section that realized the Duke knew how to swing."
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"The impact of these live performances is electrifying....Serious as the purpose may be, the concerts themselves are sheer joy."
David Broder
Nationally Syndicated Columnist
"The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and the National Museum of American History deserve the highest credit for their dedication to the preservation of our declared American treasure, jazz. They have done this through extensive research, both with the idea of enriching the public's understanding of the character and historical heritage of the music, and that of promoting a greater appreciation for jazz through the on-going presentation of significant jazz masterworks. All the performances by the Jazz Masterworks Orchestra are masterfully presented with consummate artistry and extremely good taste highly evident. I hereby give my most hearty recommendation for the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and the National Museum of American History in their continuing mission to honor the great jazz masters, past and present, and to enhance the public awareness of them and their contribution to America's culture."
Frank Foster
Saxophonist, Bandleader, Composer, Educator
"The Smithsonian Institutions' National Museum of American History has been in the forefront of the exploration to discover and affirm our nation 's historical heritage. One pointed effort has been identified with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. This organization, under the musical and artistic direction of Dr. David Baker, has exerted considerable effort to seek out and highlight the contributions of little known musical creators such as Billy Strayhorn. The SJMO's concert presentation of many of his newly discovered works as well as his classical standards, has been a catalyst for greater exposure and exploration by a wider audience of performers and aficionados. The Heirs of Billy Strayhorn are deeply indebted to Dr. Baker and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. We have all been enriched and we hope that the SJMO will continue to affirm jazz as a unique American contribution to the culture of the world."
Greg A. Morris, Ph.D.,
Executor of the Estate of Billy Strayhorn,
President, Billy Strayhorn Songs. Inc.
"I was honored February 5, 1999 to perform with David Baker and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. It was a real treat to play with Dave and the SJMO. There is no doubt the Smithsonian is doing more to raise the public awareness of our history of jazz. The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra is the greatest, and I look forward to performing with them again.""
Louie Bellson
Drummer
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